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Nigerian energy experts have called for investment in locally developed artificial intelligence (AI) technologies to cut costs, create jobs and boost the competitiveness of indigenous companies.
They made the call at the ongoing 2026 Emogas International Natural Gas-Based Industry Conference and Exhibition (EINGICE) in Abuja, stressing the need to commercialise local innovations and strengthen gas-based industries.
Chief Executive Officer of AfricEnergy and Infrastructure Ltd. and Founder of Ikwe-Onna Refinery Ltd., Mr Bassey Rex, said Nigeria had the technical capacity to develop home-grown energy technologies but needed stronger support to turn innovations into marketable products.
“Africa has no shortage of talent. What we need is more companies, African-owned and African-built, that turn that talent into products and services that people can pay for,” he said.
Rex identified predictive maintenance, pipeline inspection, project management, emissions monitoring and gas distribution as areas where AI, automation, sensors and data analytics could improve efficiency.
He said locally developed technologies must be designed to withstand Nigeria’s operating conditions, including high temperatures, humidity, unreliable electricity supply and poor connectivity in remote areas.
According to him, predictive maintenance would enable operators to detect potential equipment failures before they disrupt production, thereby reducing unplanned shutdowns and maintenance costs in refineries and gas-processing facilities.
He urged energy operators to collaborate with engineering firms, regulators, universities, research institutions and technology entrepreneurs to develop and test practical solutions.
Rex also called for improved access to seed funding, grants, venture capital, mentorship and technical partnerships to help startups commercialise their innovations.
He advised engineers to focus on solving specific industry problems rather than developing technology platforms without clearly defined customers or commercial applications.
“Pick one problem, not a platform, not a revolution. One problem, one type of customer, one number you can improve,” he said.
Similarly, Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), Mr Felix Ogbe, said local content development must move beyond participation to building globally competitive indigenous enterprises.
Ogbe, represented by the General Manager, Midstream Monitoring Division, Mr Suleiman Ozimede, said the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development Act had expanded indigenous participation in engineering, fabrication, marine services, manufacturing, logistics and information technology.
He said the next phase of local content development required strategic investment in human capital, technology, innovation and institutional capacity.
Ogbe said the board had supported indigenous businesses through financing initiatives, including the Nigerian Content Intervention Fund, a revolving facility for eligible companies.
He added that the Nigerian Content International Platform provided financing instruments, including asset acquisition and contract-related financing, to address funding constraints.
According to him, financing should be measured by its impact on productive capacity, technology commercialisation, operational efficiency and sustainable job creation, rather than the amount disbursed.
Ogbe identified predictive maintenance, asset integrity management, logistics, production optimisation and safety as areas where emerging technologies could improve industry performance.
He said the board was also supporting digital skills development in artificial intelligence, machine learning, data analytics, Python programming and cybersecurity.
The NCDMB chief further highlighted the board’s Technology Innovation and Incubation Centre, which supports technology evaluation, intellectual property development, mentoring and industry linkages.
He urged Nigerian companies to expand beyond the domestic market and export their services, products and technologies to other African countries, leveraging opportunities under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
Also speaking, Executive Chairman of the Presidential Initiative on Compressed Natural Gas and Electric Vehicles (Pi-CNG and EV), Barr. Ismaeel Ahmed, called for greater economic utilisation of Nigeria’s natural gas resources.
Ahmed, represented by the Head of Technical Training and Capacity Development, Mr Omoh Imokhuede, said growing investments across the compressed natural gas (CNG) value chain were creating opportunities in vehicle conversion, refuelling infrastructure, vehicle deployment, technical training and local assembly.
He said technology could improve infrastructure monitoring, safety, fleet management and investment decisions, making gas operations more efficient and accountable.
Ahmed urged private investors, researchers, manufacturers, innovators and entrepreneurs to play greater roles in developing the gas industry.
He said the ultimate goal was to translate Nigeria’s gas resources into affordable transportation, new businesses and wider economic opportunities.
In her presentation, Group Chief Executive Officer of Stelog Energy Group Ltd., Dr Stella Okene, called for stronger AI-powered engineering capabilities to improve Africa’s competitiveness in the energy industry.
